Airport Construction On Schedule

Round two of a four-part construction project at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport is getting ready to wrap up Monday. And with another batch of rain showers this weekend it leaves some wondering whether the construction will be done in time.

Crews say they are right on schedule; concrete for both runways has been laid. Since last weekend the main runway has been fully operational now the second runway should be done by the end of the day.

But while the paving is done, the construction is not over yet. Before opening Monday night, construction crews still have a few things to finish. In the morning they are working on a few more sections of concrete that have to be hand poured. Workers will also add grooving to the runway and put some finishing touches on the end pavement. Then once all the concrete is done workers will drill to put the touchdown lights back on the runway and then they will be ready for cleanup and to open the runway at 8 p.m. Monday.

The airport does have two weekends still set aside for work, but officials say they will be finished by the end of the next weekend. The airport will still stay closed to commercial flights on the fourth scheduled weekend but it should give cargo carriers a chance to catch up on lost time. Airport officials say overall, they are feeling good about the progress.